For such a tiny place the tidal island of St. Mary’s has a colourful and often violent history.

There has been a light on St. Mary's Island since mediaeval times. The present lighthouse was opened in 1898 to replace the old lighthouse on Tynemouth Point, the last of many which had stood there for over 400 years.

The lighthouse beamed it's warning light for 86 years until taken out of service by Trinity House in 1984, when it was bought on behalf of the local community by North Tyneside Council with generous help from the Countryside commission and the R.W. Mann Trust.

http://www.friendsofstmarysisland.co.uk/